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The Switzerland of Ohio Schools held the District Spelling Bee
Jan. 18 at Swiss
HillsCareerCenter.
There were students representing all six of the district’s
elementary schools. Students competed and won spots from their
school bees in order to compete at the district bee.

Amanda Bennett, a Hannibal Elementary student, was the overall
winner of the District Spelling Bee. Dicey Stewart of Powhatan
Elementary, was the runner-up and received an award for
Outstanding Spelling from the seventh and eighth grades.

Justin Riley of Beallsville Elementary received the award for
Outstanding Spelling from the fifth and sixth grades.

The top eight students, plus one alternate, from the District
Spelling Bee will go on to compete in March at the Regional
Spelling Bee to be held in Marietta.

Many Ohioans on Medicare with limited income and resources may
qualify for the Limited-Income Subsidy (LIS), also called “Extra
Help,” and the Medicare Savings Program. LIS helps seniors pay
for their Medicare Part D premiums, annual deductible and
coinsurance for prescription drugs.

The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average
of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs.
According to the Social Security Administration, the average
monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was about
$1,164 at the beginning of 2010. The monthly income allowance
for a single individual to participate in the Medicare Extra
Help Program is $1,252; that’s $189 a month more than the
average Soc. Sec. benefit! This leads us to believe that there
are many individuals who are unaware of and are not receiving
this benefit.

In
MonroeCounty alone, it is estimated that nearly
3,000 seniors are eligible for Medicare Part D which makes them
potentially eligible for “Extra Help” and other Medicare Savings
Programs. Some may also be eligible for the Medicare Savings
Program, which can help pay their Medicare Part A and B
premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.

In rural Ohio,
many seniors are eligible for these programs, but are not
enrolled. We want to help spread the word and help
Ohio’s aging residents get the help they
need for prescriptions. There are many reasons that folks who
are eligible do not apply. Some simply don’t know about the
program or know how to apply. Many also assume that they make
too much and are not financially eligible. Seniors are eligible
if their income and resources match the following - for a single
person $1,353 monthly income and resources of no more than
$12,500. For a married couple, income of 41,821 and resources of
no more than $25,010.

If you know someone that may qualify, please ask them to call us
toll-free at 1-800-331-2644 and ask for the Screening
Department. In a matter of minutes, the staff at The Area Agency
on Aging can assist them with a free, over-the-phone
application.

Sincerely
Rick Hindman,
AAA8 Director

Dear Editor,

As I watched the documentary about Martin Luther King I couldn’t
help thinking of the bravery of the people who defended the
people’s right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
As I watched the thousands of people marching on Washington for the rights of all people I could not help
thinking of the March that will take place in Washington this month.

I am speaking of the March For Life. The people who take part in
this peaceful demonstration are doing so to protect the pursuit
of life, liberty and happiness for those who have no voice. I am
speaking of those babies who are or are about to be aborted.

If we, as a Christian nation, can ignore this human tragedy we
should be ashamed. These are people and organizations who will
help and take care of those women who find themselves in an
unwanted pregnancy.

In fact, caring people applaud those women who are brave enough
to seek help and give birth.

As we enter this new year let us all pray for an end to
abortions and truly be people who believe all life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness for all, the living and the unborn.

Terri Gordon
Woodsfield

Dear Editor,

Jan. 22 was the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision
to legalize killing unborn children. 53 million. On this
occasion I’m reminded of President Lincoln’s words concerning
the Civil War and God’s justice requirement. “Fondly do we hope,
fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may
speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all
the wealth piled by the bondsman’s 250 years of unrequited toil
shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash
shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said 3000
years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord
are true and righteous altogether.”

May God give us eyes to see and hearts to follow Him while there
is still time.

When you are right, nobody remembers, but when you are wrong,
nobody forgets.

The right attitude has a remarkable way of changing things for
the better.

Can you believe this? It was printed in the Journal 70 years
ago. “Hold on to your hats boys, the income tax bogeyman is
sharpening his teeth! More than that, he will bite down on many
working men and women who previously were exempt. Every single
person whose weekly wages averaged $16 or more last year is
required to file a return with the government.” Who said “things
change?”

I was a junior in high school at that time selling milk for
eight cents a quart. If my math is correct I would have to sell
over 48 gallons of milk to take in $16. If we would have had $16
in our pocket back then we would have been in the tall clover. A
dollar seemed to be a lot of money. Ted, our high school
superintendent told us, “My dad gave me a quarter to go to the
county fair and bring back some change.” Yes, we called our
super by his first name. And people still call them the good old
days. In some ways they actually were.

Here I am writing and waiting on the big snow that is coming
later on today. So they say. Schools are letting out early and
kids are wondering if they are going to call off school on
Friday, never thinking they will have to make it up later on
during the year when the weather is good.

Here we are, with January just about over and February is up
next. You will remember the kind of weather we had last year.
Are we in for the same again this year? I think the almanac was
wrong or at least the one I saw.

One good thing, however, is they are able to open up the main
roads rather quickly although the side roads still give a
problem.

I remember several times when I was teaching at Skyvue the road
from Baker’s to school was snow covered for several days at a
time. Hanson hill was the fun place. Sometimes you would wait
until the car ahead made it up the hill before you tried it. I
remember once I had to back up three or four times to get up
enough speed to take me up the hill. Going to Skyvue wasn’t all
that bad, it was going up Hanson hill on the way home. Buses put
on chains and we had school. One thing did bug me was Ed Bode in
his VW could go tooling around wherever he wanted to go.

I guess maybe it’s age or something but I can’t remember much
complaining about the snow. We just accepted it and went ahead
and done what you should do when it snows. I also remember
several snow drifts piling up on the way to Skyvue.

I remember once when teaching at Old Washington we had a sudden
downpour of snow. We got all excited and called in the buses and
sent the students home when it was snowing. Come time for school
to dismiss at the end of the day the sun was shining and not a
snow flake in sight. I think this has happened several times
over the years before we got a more up-to-date weather
forecasting. Now they have told us all week we are going to have
2-4 inches starting at 4 p.m. Wrong. We’re getting some snow and
mixed rain and I haven’t had my lunch yet.

The Times Leader, Sunday had a picture of the 1957 Bethel basketball team. It’s kind of nice to
see some of your friends as they were when in high school. Not
too much change except maybe a bit heavier.

That team must have been a good bunch of players from such a
small school. I didn’t get to see them play but I remember
reading about them. I know they have a lot of good memories.

The story in the county getting a lot of attention is the
shortfall of money to complete the school building on the River.
It seems as though prices go up and up as we are never
satisfied. We have to have a little more and more. Gasoline is a
good example.

I’m glad I do not have to decide what to do. Probably a report
is in the paper this week. I know there will be hard feelings
along the line but after all is said and done, what’s best for
the students should be the biggest concern. After all schools
are for teaching and things seem to be moving toward technology.

I recall when they closed Lewisville,
Graysville and Bethel;
there was a bit of an uproar. I think maybe a petition was
started around. Now Lewisville and
Bethel
are being used as community centers and Graysville being used,
things are quiet. The Lewisville
and Bethel schools are better than when students
were attending due to community effort by a number of people.
This too will happen along the river.

God doesn’t use an answering machine, He takes each call
personally.

Going to church Sunday?

Kevin
Green, senior vice-president of Project and Construction
Services, Inc. (PCS), told the crowd during a Jan. 19 meeting at RiverHigh School
that they had presented the best options to move forward with
the River High and Sardis/Hannibal schools project. He noted
that steel prices were up seven percent and the costs keep going
up. Sitting in the background are John Jefferis, PCS project
manager, and architect Brett Hendricks.

Stacey
Thomas, project administrator, Ohio Schools Facilities
Commission, was on hand at the Jan. 19 SOLSD special board
meeting held Jan. 19 at RiverHigh School.
She, the board members, architect and project managers answered
questions on the options for the River High and Sardis/Hannibal
schools project. Board president Scott Dierkes is shown with
Thomas.

Members of the Switzerland of Ohio Local School Board listened
and responded to questions and comments during the Jan. 19
meeting held at RiverHigh School
. Discussion focused on budget issues facing the River High and
Sardis/Hannibal school projects. Shown, from left, are: SOLSD
treasurer Janet Hissrich; board president Scott Dierkes; board
members, Janet Schwall, Teresa Gallagher, Ed Carleton and Ron
Winkler.Photos by Martha Ackerman

A resolution was unanimously passed Jan. 19 to move forward on
the River High and Sardis/Hannibal elementary schools K-12
project with the input of a committee of voters. The committee
will sit in core meetings and have a voice in modifications to
the final plan. After discovery of an anticipated $1.1 million
increase in cost estimates, the Switzerland of Ohio Local School
Board held a meeting Jan. 11 at
RiverHigh School to get local
input on the changes that had to be addressed to compensate for
the increase. At that meeting residents voiced opinions that
included skepticism and accusations regarding the options
presented, which included an attached elementary school creating
a K-12.

Prior to the special meeting of the Switzerland of Ohio Local
School Board, held at RiverHigh School
Jan. 19, local residents opposing a K-12 at RiverHigh School
distributed a page of concerns and proposals. Valerie Fisher was
the spokeswoman for several dozen concerned residents, who stood
in support as Fisher made their case against the K-12 proposal.
Some of the issues addressed by Fisher included emergency
egress, safety concerns, parking issues, compromised curriculum
and cafeteria issues.

There were two main issues addressed. The placement of the
playground area, which in the drawings presented at the Jan. 11
meeting, was in front of the school. Fisher said that there are
some parents and grandparents not allowed to see some of the
children. She added that parents were concerned with pedaphiles
having easy access to the children with the placement of the
playground in front.

Proposals included keeping the budgets for the renovations to
River High and the Sar-dis/Hannibal Elementary projects
separate; start the renovations and look for areas for savings;
don’t accept bids over budget, allow local qualified businesses
to participate in the bidding process; seek a viable solution
for the location of the combined elementary school on the
riverfront and allow the residents to help with these proposals.

Kevin Green, senior vice-president of Project and Construction
Services, Inc. (PCS), told the crowd that they had presented the
best options to move forward. He noted that steel prices were up
seven percent and the costs keep going up.

“Time is money,” said Stacey Thomas, project administrator, Ohio
Schools Facilities Commission. That statement was reiterated by
Thomas a number of times throughout the evening. Thomas has been
working closely with architects and project managers to see that
the best interests of the district and its students are met.

Questions were raised about the allocation of monies, amendments
to the Master Plan, who decided which projects came first, where
the bond and contingency monies were used, how much money would
be received from the pipeline running through Monroe County and
where would it be used.

There were more questions as to the enrollment changes which
added additional funds to the Monroe Central project. According
to Scott Dierkes, SOLSD president, an enrollment mix-up, which,
in original estimates, counted Monroe Central students taking a
class at the career center as Swiss Hills students instead of
Monroe Central students.

Local resident Bill Beisel asked if the
Sardis and Hannibal sites had any
asset value. He asked if there had been any appraisals done on
the two buildings. He wanted to know if this asset value could
be used to offset the overrun. Thomas told Beisel that they
cannot sell the properties because they are in use. “There are
students in those buildings,” she said, noting the money had to
be in hand for the state to count any of it. Beisel suggested
other options including the renovation of
Hannibal to accommodate students from both
Sardis and Hannibal. This suggestion
was met with some support. He also asked if they had considered
the football field as an option for the Sardis/Hannibal site.

It was explained by architect Brett Hendricks and Green that it
would take five to six weeks for information to be gathered as
to the viability of the renovations and additions to the
Hannibal
school. That would mean delays on the River project and possibly
add more cost to the projects since they would be bid
separately. Green and Thomas explained that bidding the River
projects as a package saved money because of the size of the
project. The crowd was told that if the Hannibal project was not viable, that the
delays would drive the cost up.

Ron Talbot produced numbers on the architectural fees. It was
noted that from Nov. 20, 2009 until Dec. 15, 2010 , architect
fees total $2,430,640. Hendricks said that fees are based on
construction costs. Treasurer Janet Hissrich explained that
these fees are negotiated in the early building process and that
renovations and construction fees are negotiated by different
percentages. She also said that the architect pays engineering
costs including plumbing, electrical and technical services and
consultants from the fees they receive. They are not paid
additional for each concept drawing or blueprint.

Michele Williams asked why the board rescinded the authority to
auction the Powhatan barn. To that Hissrich said that the board
thought it had a buyer but, “We don’t have a buyer at this
time.”

After a lot of accusatory questions had been asked, SOLSD board
member Janet Schwall shook her head and said, “I can’t believe
these questions. It is totally absurd to suggest that we would
put one school ahead of another. This is very serious to us. Do
you really think we would spend money frivolously.? No, we did
not spend money that we didn’t need to spend.”

Dave Anderson thanked Fisher for expressing their concerns. He
noted the changes that had been made to the master plan and said
“We want to have a voice in this. Let us give our ideas and make
changes. We had input when we voted; now it keeps changing. I’m
not against a K-12 option. It’s just that we’d like to talk
about something we’ll be paying for the rest of our lives. We
want you to listen to our proposals … I have confidence that
you’ll do what’s right.”

Scott Piatt asked if a K-8 off campus could be done. Dierkes
answered, “ … I don’t build schools. Attaching the building
makes it affordable. To look at another property is going to be
additional cost. I’ve heard comments but not a lot of helpful
solutions.”

Green noted that taking the project to another property would
probably cost more money and it reduces the square footage.

Someone asked why a K-12 was not considered for the
Woodsfield/Monroe Central. Dierkes said the project is too far
underway to change without costing more money and that if the
board knew then what it knows now that would probably have been
a consideration.

One Powhatan parent voiced opposition to the K-12 noting that
Powhatan students coming to River would be like outsiders. On
the same principle she was told, it was no different than Skyvue
students coming into Monroe Central. “In the master plan
Powhatan wanted a school by themselves,” said Dierkes.

In regard to the concerns of the placement of the playground and
cafeteria, Green told the crowd that the drawing presented was a
concept and there can be changes.

“I keep hearing you aren’t getting what you voted for,” said
board member Ed Carleton, noting he is from Beallsville and has
lived there all his life. “Beallsville is not getting the
building we voted for because they would have to move too much
dirt. It went to two, two-story buildings and they said that was
way too expensive. We’re getting a nice two-story building. In
my estimate it’s not going to be big enough. I get tired of
hearing from you that it’s not what we wanted. I do understand
you need a little more time. Beallsville didn’t get what we
voted for either.”

Larry Fuchs said that they would be able to keep their gym and
the easiest, most feasible way is to attach the buildings. “It
will waste money if we go a different route.”

After the two-and-a-half hour meeting, the idea of not having a
K-12 at River was mute. In consideration of the majority of
those present, board member Ron Winkler made the motion and the
board passed a resolution unanimously to proceed with planning a
K-12 for River High and Sardis/Hannibal Elementaries.

Dierkes asked for four volunteers to sit in on the core meetings
for input on the plans for the K-12 construction. The number of
members to this rose from the proposed four to 12 who will be
serving on this committee. They include: Valerie Fisher,
Jennifer Marshall, John Pyles, Rob Caldwell, Sarah Smith, David
Potts, Mike Flannery, Scott Piatt, Butch Dnerson, Jim Turner,
Loren Romick and Leah Hulsey.

The board has rescheduled its Jan. 20 meeting to Jan. 27 at 6
p.m. at the SOLSD board office in Woodsfield.

The recent snow has been hectic for homeowners and business
people who try to keep their side and those traveling but for
children who don’t mind leaving their warm, cozy homes, their
television sets, computers and I-Pods, the winter wonderland
creates quite a playground. Allison Keller, Nicole Gordon,
Benjamin Keller, Eli Keylor and Matt Thomas gathered enough snow
from several yards on Berkley Drive in
Woodsfield to build this large igloo. Good job, kids!

In the case of John Lucio, et al., plaintiffs vs. Safe Auto
Insurance Co., et al, defendants originally filed March 22,
2007, Monroe County Court Judge Julie Selmon ruled Jan. 14 on a
motion for summary judgment on damages. The ruling for the
plaintiffs for policy renewal damages totaling $7,858,958.11 and
for new policy commissions, $290,696.15. Also the Court
judgement granted in favor of the plaintiffs for unjust
enrichment is $4,006,950.28. With an offset of $428,633.96
because of the overpayment to the Columbus sales representatives, the total
damages was awarded in the amount to $11,727,970.58.

Since 2007, both parties filed extensive motions, responses and
replies on the issues of damages. The case is in regard to sales
representatives at Safe Auto, the plaintiffs, seeking to recover
commissions and bonuses allegedly owed to them due to breach of
contract and unjust enrichment.

According to court records, the plaintiffs alleged that their
commissions and bonuses were wrongfully reduced when Safe Auto
restructured its sales compensation program in January 2004 and
August 2005. The case alleges that Safe Auto wrongfully retained
renewal commissions on insurance policies sold by the sales
representatives.

Motions and responses for prejudgment interest were filed
previously, a hearing was held and the matter taken under
advisement by the Court.

In light of the findings and orders on damages, the Court has
given the plaintiffs 14 days from Jan. 14 to brief the issue of
prejudgment interest. The defendants were granted 14 days from
the date of plaintiffs’ brief is filed to respond.

ROBERT
M. JONES, JRRobert M. Jones, Jr., 64,
211 Berkley Dr., Woodsfield, died
Jan. 18, 2011 upon arrival at BarnesvilleHospital.
He was born Nov. 18, 1946 at
Pittsburgh,
Pa., a son of the late Robert
Maxwell Jones, Sr. and Mary Perry Jones.

He was a retired school teacher with 38 years of teaching for
the Switzerland of Ohio School District in
MonroeCounty; a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ,
Woodsfield, and a member of the Monroe Lodge 189 F. & A.M.,
Woodsfield.

Surviving are his wife, Arlene Helbling Jones, whom he married
May 27, 1967; two sons, John (Robin) Jones of Maple Valley,
Washington, Paul (Kathleen) Jones of Marietta; two
grandchildren, Kyle and Nathan Jones.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a
sister, Alice Drew.

Friends were received Jan. 20 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 21, with
Pastor Frank Lehosky officiating. Burial was held Jan. 24 at
Queen of Heaven Cemetery,
McMurray,
Pa.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death a
daughter, Kay Wells White; granddaughter, Sarah Kay White;
grandson, Marvin Kyle Messer; five brothers and three sisters.

At Sara’s request there was no service or visiting hours.
Cremation will be conducted by Siferd-Orians Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.siferd-oransfuneralhomes.com

E.
ALBERTA
LOHRIE. Alberta Winter Lohri, 91, Sardis,
passed away Jan. 19, 2011 at
WetzelCounty
Hospital, New Martinsville. She was
born April 19, 1919 in MonroeCounty,
a daughter of the late Fred and Kate Hayes Jones.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
first husband, Albert Winter in 1978; three brothers, Harris,
Harold Darrell and Wilbur “Cub” Jones; and two sisters, Betty
Howell and Dorothy Frieden.

Friends were received Jan. 22 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 23, with
Pastor Anthony McSwords officiating. Burial was in
UnityBaptistCemetery near Antioch.

Condolences may be ex-pressed at: www.bauerturner.com

LISA
R. BROWNLisa R. Brown, 49, Antioch,
died Jan. 21, 2011 at Wetzel
CountyHospital, New
Martinsville, W.Va. She was born April 2, 1961 in
Sistersville,
W.Va., a daughter of Paul V. and Marian Sue
Busche Brown of Trail Run,
Sardis.

She was a member of St. Paul’s
Church Trail Run and had worked for the
GMNNeighborhood
ServiceCenter in Woodsfield. She
was also a volunteer for the
MidwayCommunity Center and cook
for the Midway Senior Citizens. She was a 1979 graduate or RiverHigh School
and Swiss
HillsVocational School; she had also
attended WashingtonTechnicalSchool
in Marietta.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a son, Jason
Brown of Antioch; a brother, Darrin Brown of Hannibal; two
sisters, Paula Canter of London, Gina Brown of Columbus;
grandmother, Florine Huffman Busche of Trail Run.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Floyd and Belle
Rosenlieb Brown and Raymond Busche.

Friends were received Jan. 23 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, and until time of services Jan. 24, with Rev. Alfred
Bingenheimer officiating. Burial was in St. Paul’s ChurchTrailRunCemetery near Antioch.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.bauerturner.com

ANN
M. POTTSAnn M. Potts, 94, Duffy, died Jan. 19, at WetzelCountyHospital, New
Martinsville. She was born Aug. 3, 1916 in Fairmont, W.Va.,
the daughter of the late Franklin and Ethel Norris Tedrow.

She was a former secretary at Viking Glass in New Martinsville,
and a Mormon by faith.

Friends will be received Jan. 28, from 6 - 8 p.m. at
Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield. Funeral service will be
held Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church Trail
Run. www.bauerturner.com

GLADYS
DOUGHERTYGladys Marie Dougherty, 86, of Heartland of Marietta
Nursing Home, Marietta
(formerly of Woodsfield) went to be with her Lord on Jan. 24,
2011, at the MariettaMemorialHospital, Marietta. She was born at Shadyside on May 29,
1924, a daughter of the late Rudy and Edna Short Hudak.

She was a homemaker and was a faithful supporter of missionary
work and a Christian by faith. She enjoyed her children,
grandchildren and their visits. She also enjoyed her birds and
bunnies.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Robert “Bob” Dougherty on June 6, 1994 and a
son-in-law, Jim Biehl.

Friends will be received at the Watters Funeral Home, 37501 S.R.
78 West, Woods-field, from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1
p.m. Jan. 27 with Max Winland officiating. Burial will follow
in NeuhartCemetery,
Woodsfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to a local food bank.

WOODROW A. HORNERWoodrow “Woody” A. Horner, 98, Proctor,
W.Va., died Jan. 15, 2011 at
NewMartinsville
RehabilitationCenter. He was born Aug.
21`, 1912 in Dean,
W.Va., a son of the late Joseph C. and
Myrtle Morris Horner.

He was a retired cable quoter for the former Triangle Conduit
and Cable Co. in Glen Dale,
W.Va., and a member of the Proctor
Church of Christ.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
wife, Mary Horner in Oct. 2010; an infant son, Gary Horner; two
sons-in-law, Warren Price and Jeff Henthorn; grandson-in-law,
Mike Keifer and four sisters and a brother.

Friends were received Jan. 17 at Jarvis-Williams Funeral Home,
New Martinsville, where funeral services were held Jan. 18, with
Don Kline officiating. Burial was in PadenMemorialGardens in PadenCity.